washing machine

Abstract

To provide a washing machine capable of achieving improvement in a washing effect of a powder detergent by heightening a dissolution state of the powder detergent.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a water tub; an input receiving part 321 for receiving input of a powder detergent by a user; a nano-bubble water supply path R1 for supplying the water tub with nano-bubble water in which nano-bubbles are contained in the water supplied from an external water source; and a micro-bubble water supply path R4 for supplying the water tub with micro-bubble water in which micro-bubbles are contained in the water supplied from the external water source. Then, out of the nano-bubble water supply path R1 and the micro-bubble water supply path R4, at least the micro-bubble water supply path R4 is constituted to be the path reaching the water tub by passing through the input receiving part 321.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a washing machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, washing machines are configured to be able to use either liquid detergent or powder detergent depending on the material and type of laundry, user preferences, etc. However, powder detergent is usually less soluble in water than liquid detergent. Therefore, when powder detergent is used, some of the powder detergent put into the washing machine may not completely dissolve in the water and may remain. Therefore, in the conventional configuration, it may not be possible to achieve the intended cleaning effect according to the amount of powder detergent put into the washing machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-113395 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Therefore, a washing machine capable of increasing the degree of dissolution of the powder detergent and improving the cleaning effect of the powder detergent is provided. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The washing machine of the embodiment includes a water tub, an input receiving section for receiving powder detergent input by a user, a nanobubble water supply path for supplying nanobubble water, which is water supplied from an external water source and has nanobubbles added thereto, to the water tub, and a microbubble water supply path for supplying microbubble water, which is water supplied from the external water source and has microbubbles added thereto, to the water tub. Of the nanobubble water supply path and the microbubble water supply path, at least the microbubble water supply path is configured as a path that passes through the input receiving section to reach the water tub. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a drum-type washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a vertical washing machine according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a path of water supplied from an external water source according to the first embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of a path of water supplied from an external water source according to the first embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a pressurized dissolution apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a pressure tank of a pressure dissolving apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a micro-bubble generator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the micro-bubble generator according to the first embodiment taken along line X8-X8 in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a test result for investigating the effect of the pressurized dissolution apparatus according to the first embodiment on the amount of microbubbles generated. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of a control device according to a first embodiment; [Figure 11] A flowchart showing an example of the entire process of a washing operation according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of control content of a washing process according to a first embodiment. [Figure 13] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the control content of a washing process according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship between the amount of detergent and the ratio of the amount of microbubble water supplied according to the operation course according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the relationship between the amount of detergent and the ratio of the amount of microbubble water supplied according to the user's settings in the third embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate substantially the same components in the respective embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0008] (First embodiment) This embodiment can be applied to both a horizontal-axis or inclined-axis drum-type washing machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 and a vertical-axis washing machine 20 shown in FIG. 2. The washing machines 10 and 20 may or may not have a drying function. The washing machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes an outer box 11, a water tub 12, a rotating tub 13, a motor 14, an operation panel 15, and a drainage mechanism 16. In FIG. 1, the installation surface side of the washing machine 10, i.e., the vertically lower side, is the lower side of the washing machine 10, and the opposite side to the installation surface, i.e., the vertically upper side, is the upper side of the washing machine 10. The washing machine 10 is a horizontal-axis type in which the rotation axis of the rotating tub 13 is horizontal, or an inclined-axis type in which the rotation axis of the rotating tub 13 is inclined downward toward the rear.

[0009] Washing machine 20 shown in Fig. 2 includes outer box 21, water tub 22, rotating tub 23, agitator 231, motor 24, operation panel 25, and drainage mechanism 26. In Fig. 2, the side of the installation surface of washing machine 20, i.e., the vertically lower side, is defined as the lower side of washing machine 20, and the opposite side to the installation surface, i.e., the vertically upper side, is defined as the upper side of washing machine 20. Washing machine 20 is a vertical washing machine in which the rotation axis of rotating tub 23 is oriented vertically.

[0010] In drum type washing machine 10 shown in Fig. 1 and vertical type washing machine 20 shown in Fig. 2, water tubs 12, 22 are disposed in outer cases 11, 21 and are elastically supported by suspensions (not shown). Rotating tubs 13, 23 are rotatably disposed in water tubs 12, 22 and are rotationally driven by motors 14, 24.

[0011] Rotating tank 23 has agitating blade 231. Agitating blade 231 is rotatably disposed around a vertical axis on the inner bottom of rotating tank 23. Agitating blade 231 is connected to motor 24 and is driven to rotate by motor 24. Agitating blade 231 has a blade member that stirs up water on the back side, and has a function of circulating water in water tank 22 through a circulation water passage (not shown) provided between rotating tank 23 and water tank 22. In the washing step or rinsing step, rotating tank 23 is not rotated, and only agitating blade 231 is driven to rotate.

[0012] The motors 14, 24 are provided on the outside of the bottom of the water tubs 12, 22. Although not shown in detail, the motors 14, 24 are, for example, brushless direct drive motors whose rotation speed can be changed. The motors 14, 24 are connected to the rotating tubs 13, 23, and have the function of rotating the rotating tubs 13, 23 relative to the water tubs 12, 22.

[0013] The operation panels 15, 25 are provided with a display unit and an operation unit (not shown), and accept input operations for the user to set a washing operation course, and display the input operation contents, operation status, etc. The operation panels 15, 25 are provided, for example, on the front part of the upper surface of the outer casings 11, 21.

[0014] The drain mechanism 16, 26 has a function of draining water stored in the water tub 12, 22 to the outside of the washing machine 10, 20. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the drain mechanism 16, 26 has a drain valve 161, 261 and a drain hose 162, 262. The drain valve 161, 261 is an on-off valve for liquid that can be electromagnetically opened and closed. The drain hose 162, 262 is, for example, a flexible hose, one end of which is connected to the drain valve 161, 261 and the other end of which is drawn out to the outside of the washing machine 10, 20. When the drain valve 161, 261 is opened, the water stored in the water tub 12, 22 is drained to the outside of the washing machine 10, 20 through the drain hose 162, 262.

[0015] 1 and 2, the washing machines 10 and 20 each include a water supply device 30. The water supply device 30 is provided on the upper part of the outer box 11 and 21, respectively. The water supply device 30 has a function of supplying water supplied from an external water source such as a water supply into the water tanks 12 and 22. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the water supply device 30 can be configured to include, for example, a water supply valve mechanism 31, a water injection case 32, a water injection hose 33, a detergent case 34, a finishing agent case 35, an automatic injection device 36, a mixing section 37, a pressurized dissolving device 40, and fine bubble generators 501 and 502.

[0016] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the water supply valve mechanism 31 is connected to an external water source such as a water faucet (not shown). The water supply valve mechanism 31 is configured, for example, as an on-off valve for liquid that can be electromagnetically opened and closed. The water supply valve mechanism 31 is provided on the upstream side of the water injection case 32. The water supply valve mechanism 31 has a function of individually opening and closing a plurality of water supply paths leading to the water tanks 12 and 22 via the water injection case 32. In this case, the water supply valve mechanism 31 can be configured to integrally include, for example, a plurality of water supply valves 311, 312, and 313. In the following description, of the three water supply valves 311, 312, and 313, the water supply valve 311 may be referred to as a normal water supply valve 311, the water supply valve 312 may be referred to as a nanobubble water supply valve 312, and the water supply valve 313 may be referred to as a microbubble water supply valve 313.

[0017] The water injection case 32 is provided downstream of the water supply valve mechanism 31, the mixing section 37, the pressurized dissolving device 40, and the fine bubble generators 501 and 502. The water injection case 32 is made of, for example, resin and is formed in a hollow box shape having a space inside. The water injection case 32 is configured to be able to accommodate laundry treatment agents inside. The laundry treatment agents include, for example, detergents such as powder detergents and liquid detergents, and finishing agents such as fabric softeners and fragrances. The water injection case 32 has a function of receiving water supplied from an external water source and supplying the water into the water tanks 12 and 22 via the water injection hose 33.

[0018] Water injection hose 33 is, for example, a flexible hose configured in a cylindrical shape. One end of water injection hose 33 is connected to water injection case 32, and the other end is connected to water tanks 12, 22. In other words, water injection hose 33 connects water injection case 32 to the inside of water tanks 12, 22. Water that flows into water injection case 32 from an external water source is injected into water tanks 12, 22 through water injection hose 33.

[0019] The detergent case 34 and the finishing agent case 35 are formed of, for example, resin containers, and are configured to be able to be housed in the water injection case 32. As shown in Fig. 3, the detergent case 34 and the finishing agent case 35 are provided at positions spaced upward from the bottom surface 321 of the water injection case 32. The detergent case 34 is configured to allow the user to pour in an amount of detergent, such as powder detergent or liquid detergent, that is to be used for one washing operation.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 3, detergent case 34 can be configured to have, for example, a detergent inlet 341. Detergent inlet 341 is formed through detergent case 34 and opens toward bottom surface 321 of water injection case 32. Detergent inlet 341 guides the detergent received in detergent case 34 to bottom surface 321 of water injection case 32 without storing the detergent in detergent case 34. With detergent case 34 housed in water injection case 32, the user pours detergent into bottom surface 321 of water injection case 32 through detergent inlet 341. In this case, bottom surface 321 of water injection case 32 functions as an input receiving portion that receives detergent poured in by the user.

[0021] The finishing agent case 35 is configured so that a user can put in a liquid finishing agent such as fabric softener or fragrance in an amount to be used in one washing operation. As shown in FIG. 3, the finishing agent case 35 has a siphon mechanism 351. The siphon mechanism 351 is provided at the bottom of the finishing agent case 35 and communicates the outside and the inside of the finishing agent case 35. The mixed water, which is a mixture of the water supplied from an external water source into the finishing agent case 35 and the finishing agent in the finishing agent case 35, flows out of the finishing agent case 35 through the siphon mechanism 351. That is, when the water level of the mixed water in the finishing agent case 35 rises due to the water supply and the mixed water is filled up to the top of the siphon mechanism 351, the mixed water starts to flow from the water passage 352, and then the outflow of the mixed water toward the bottom of the finishing agent case 35 is maintained by the principle of the siphon. The mixed water flowing out of the finishing agent case 35 flows along the bottom surface 321 of the water supply case 32 and is then supplied into the water tank 12.

[0022] The automatic dispenser 36 is provided on the top of the water tubs 12, 22. The automatic dispenser 36 can store an amount of laundry treatment agent to be used for multiple washing operations, and has a function of automatically dispensing the required amount of laundry treatment agent into the water tubs 12, 22 as the washing operation progresses. Water supplied from an external water source is mixed with the laundry treatment agent supplied from the automatic dispenser 36 in a mixer 37, and the mixture is supplied into the water tubs 12, 22.

[0023] The automatic dosing device 36 can be configured to have, for example, a detergent tank 361, a finishing agent tank 362, and a dosing pump 363. The detergent tank 361 is for storing a liquid detergent in an amount used for multiple washing operations. The finishing agent tank 362 is for storing a liquid finishing agent in an amount used for multiple washing operations. The dosing pump 363 is configured, for example, as a piston pump, and has a function of sucking up the laundry treatment agent stored in the tanks 361 and 362 and supplying it to the mixing section 37.

[0024] The mixing section 37 is configured, for example, in the shape of a container capable of storing a predetermined amount of laundry treatment agent therein. The discharge side of the dosing pump 363 of the automatic dosing device 36 is connected to the mixing section 37, and the laundry treatment agent sucked from the tanks 361, 362 by the dosing pump 363 is dosed into the mixing section 37. The laundry treatment agent dosed into the mixing section 37 is mixed with water supplied from an external water source in the mixing section 37, and is then supplied into the water tubs 12, 22 through the water supply case 32.

[0025] 3, the washing machines 10 and 20 are provided with, for example, a nanobubble water supply path R1, a finishing agent water supply path R2, an automatic injection water supply path R3, and a microbubble water supply path R4. Each of the water supply paths R1, R2, R3, and R4 flows from the water supply valve mechanism 31 through a different path into the water supply case 32, and passes through the water supply case 32 to the water tub 12 or 22. That is, each of the water supply paths R1, R2, R3, and R4 is indirectly connected to the water tub 12 or 22 via the water supply case 32.

[0026] The nanobubble water supply path R1 is a path that runs from the water supply valve 312 through the fine bubble generator 501, through the detergent case 34 in the water injection case 32, and to the water tanks 12 and 22. In this case, the nanobubble water supply path R1 has a function of supplying nanobubble water, which is water supplied from an external water source and contains nanobubbles, to the water tanks 12 and 22. Nanobubble water means that the concentration of nanobubbles among the fine bubbles contained in the water is higher than the concentration of fine bubbles belonging to other orders. The finishing agent water supply path R2 and the automatic addition water supply path R3 branch off from each other downstream of the water supply valve 311, as shown in FIG. 3. The finishing agent water supply path R2 is a path that runs from the water supply valve 311 through the finishing agent case 35 in the water injection case 32 to the water tanks 12 and 22. In this case, the finishing agent water supply path R2 has a function of supplying the finishing agent that has been added to the finishing agent case 35 to the water tanks 12 and 22.

[0027] The automatic water supply path R3 is a path that extends from the water supply valve 311 through the mixing section 37 and the water supply case 32 to the water tanks 12 and 22. In this case, the automatic water supply path R3 has a function of supplying the laundry treatment agent in the tanks 361 and 362 that has been introduced into the mixing section 37 by the introduction pump 363 through the inside of the water supply case 32 to the water tanks 12 and 22.

[0028] The microbubble water supply path R4 is a path that runs from the water supply valve 313 through the pressurized dissolving device 40, the fine bubble generator 502, and the water injection case 32 to the water tanks 12 and 22. In this case, the microbubble water supply path R4 has a function of supplying microbubble water, which is water supplied from an external water source and contains microbubbles, to the water tanks 12 and 22. Microbubble water means that the concentration of microbubbles generated among the fine bubbles contained in the water is higher than the concentrations of fine bubbles belonging to other orders.

[0029] 3, microbubble water supply path R4 is configured as a path that passes through bottom surface 321 of water injection case 32 to water tubs 12, 22. In other words, microbubble water supply path R4 can be a path that reaches water tubs 12, 22 without passing through detergent case 34. In this way, detergent put into bottom surface 321 of water injection case 32 by the user via detergent case 34 and water flowing through microbubble water supply path R4 flow along bottom surface 321 while being mixed at bottom surface 321 of water injection case 32, and are then supplied into water tubs 12, 22.

[0030] 4, the microbubble water supply path R4 can be configured to include the detergent case 34. That is, the microbubble water supply path R4 can be configured as a path that passes through the detergent case 34 downstream of the fine-bubble generator 502 and reaches the water tubs 12, 22. In this case, the nanobubble water supply path R1 and the microbubble water supply path R4 have the detergent case 34 as a common component.

[0031] 4, detergent case 34 may be configured in the shape of a container capable of storing, for example, the amount of laundry treatment agent required for one washing operation, and may be configured with hole 342 formed in the bottom of detergent case 34, which is connected to bottom surface 321 of water injection case 32. For example, when detergent is poured into detergent case 34, the detergent is poured down from hole 342 to bottom surface 321 of water injection case 32 together with water that has passed through fine bubble generator 502, and then flows along bottom surface 321 of water injection case 32 to be supplied into water tub 12, 22. In this case, detergent case 34 functions as a receiving portion that receives detergent poured in by the user.

[0032] The pressurized dissolving device 40 is provided on the microbubble water supply path R4 and downstream of the microbubble water supply valve 313. The pressurized dissolving device 40 pressurizes water supplied from an external water source with the pressure of the water to dissolve the air component. The pressurized dissolving device 40 constitutes a flow path in which water flows in the direction shown by the black arrow in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the pressurized dissolving device 40 has a pressurized tank 41, an inlet 42, an outlet 43, a partition wall 44, an air introduction pipe 45, and an intake valve 46. The pressurized tank 41 can temporarily store water supplied through the water supply valve 313 together with air. The pressurized tank 41 is configured in the shape of a container that is airtight and watertight as well as pressure-resistant. Pressure resistance means that even if the internal pressure in the pressurized tank 41 increases due to the pressure of the water flowing in from an external water source (in this case, water pressure), the pressurized tank 41 is prevented from deforming and the airtightness and watertightness are maintained.

[0033] Inlet section 42 is provided on the top of pressurized tank 41 and is connected to the discharge side of water supply valve 313. Inlet section 42 is a section through which water flows from the outside of pressurized tank 41 into the inside. Water supplied to water supply valve 313 from an external water supply source is introduced into pressurized tank 41 through inlet section 42. In this case, since there is no configuration that creates significant resistance between water supply valve 313 and inlet section 42, the water discharged from water supply valve 313 is supplied into pressurized tank 41 at a relatively high pressure.

[0034] Furthermore, the inlet portion 42 causes the water passing through the inlet portion 42 to fall vertically downward into the pressurized tank 41. The water flowing out from the inlet portion 42 and falling violently collides against the water surface while drawing in air above the water surface stored inside the pressurized tank 41. As a result, the water stored in the pressurized tank 41 is agitated by the energy of the collision of the water falling from the inlet portion 42, and the dissolution of the air components inside the pressurized tank 41 is promoted.

[0035] The outlet portion 43 is provided at the bottom of the pressurized tank 41. The outlet portion 43 is a portion through which water passes when it flows out from inside the pressurized tank 41 to the outside. In other words, the water that flows into the pressurized tank 41 from the inlet portion 42 flows out of the pressurized tank 41 through the outlet portion 43. In this embodiment, water is drained from the outlet portion 43 only by the water pressure of the water stored in the pressurized tank 41, i.e., the hydrostatic pressure, and no drive source such as a dedicated pump for drainage is required.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 5, the partition wall 44 rises from the bottom of the pressurized tank 41 and divides a part of the space in the pressurized tank 41 in the horizontal direction. That is, the partition wall 44 divides the lower space in the pressurized tank 41 into a space on the inlet 42 side and a space on the outlet 43 side. This allows the water flowing into the pressurized tank 41 to be stirred at the water surface in the space on the inlet 42 side of the pressurized tank 41, thereby allowing the water and air in the pressurized tank 41 to come into contact with each other efficiently. This promotes dissolution of air components into the water in the pressurized tank 41.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 6, the partition wall 44 has a slit 47 formed therein. The slit 47 has a function of blocking bubbles having a particle size larger than that of fine bubbles. Of the water flowing into the pressurized tank 41, the water located below the upper end of the partition wall 44 passes through the slit 47 and flows into the space on the outlet 43 side. At this time, relatively large bubbles, for example on the order of millimeters, generated by the water dropping from the inlet 42 colliding with the water surface do not pass through the slit 47 and disappear without flowing into the space on the outlet 43 side.

[0038] The air introduction pipe 45 is provided, for example, on the upper part of the pressurized tank 41, and communicates the inside and outside of the pressurized tank 41. The intake valve 46 can be configured, for example, as a check valve. In this case, the intake valve 46 has a function of passing air from the outside of the pressurized tank 41 to the inside of the pressurized tank 41, but blocking air from the inside of the pressurized tank 41 to the outside of the pressurized tank 41. The intake valve 46 can be configured to close when the pressure in the pressurized tank 41 becomes higher than the atmospheric pressure, and to open when the pressure in the pressurized tank 41 becomes close to the atmospheric pressure. In addition, the intake valve 46 can be configured to be electromagnetically openable and closable. In this case, when the intake valve 46 is opened, outside air is replenished into the pressurized tank 41 through the air introduction pipe 45. Note that instead of the intake valve 46, a configuration in which air is introduced into the pressurized tank 41 by an air pump may be used.

[0039] Next, a state in which the air component is dissolved in the water in the pressurized tank 41 in the pressurized dissolution device 40 will be described. In this embodiment, the pressurized dissolution device 40 can pressurize the pressurized tank 41 with only water pressure by, for example, making the amount of water flowing into the pressurized tank 41 greater than the amount of water flowing out of the pressurized tank 41. In this case, for example, when the water supply valve 313 is opened, the remaining water that has flowed in from the inlet 42 but has not flowed out from the outlet 43 is stored in the pressurized tank 41, and the water level in the pressurized tank 41 rises. At this time, the air in the pressurized tank 41 is compressed by the rising water surface, which increases the pressure in the pressurized tank 41 and closes the intake valve 46.

[0040] After that, when the water continues to flow in from the inlet 42 and the water level in the pressurized tank 41 rises to a predetermined water level, the pressure in the pressurized tank 41 and the pressure of the water flowing in from the external water source (tap water pressure in this case) are balanced. As a result, the amount of water flowing in from the inlet 42 and the amount of water flowing out of the pressurized tank 41 from the outlet 43 become approximately equal, and the pressure in the pressurized tank 41 becomes a maximum pressure close to the tap water pressure in this case. In this way, the pressure in the pressurized tank 41 rises above atmospheric pressure, making it easier for the air in the pressurized tank 41 to dissolve in the water stored in the pressurized tank 41. In other words, by passing the water supplied from the external water source through the pressurized dissolving device 40, water can be supplied to the downstream side of the pressurized dissolving device 40 with a larger amount of dissolved air components than normal water that does not pass through the pressurized dissolving device 40.

[0041] Then, when water supply into the pressurized tank 41 starts and the water supply valve 313 is closed, for example, after a predetermined water supply time has elapsed, the pressure inside the pressurized tank 41 drops to near atmospheric pressure as the water level inside the pressurized tank 41 drops, and the intake valve 46 opens to introduce outside air into the pressurized tank 41. In this way, by repeatedly opening and closing the water supply valve 313, the pressurized dissolution device 40 can repeatedly discharge water with air components dissolved in it.

[0042] The fine-bubble generator 501 is provided on the nanobubble water supply path R1 downstream of the nanobubble water supply valve 312. The fine-bubble generator 502 is provided on the microbubble water supply path R4 downstream of the pressurized dissolution device 40. In this embodiment, the fine-bubble generators 501 and 502 have the same structure, and each of the fine-bubble generators 501 and 502 has the function of precipitating mainly nano-order fine bubbles in the water passing through the fine-bubble generators 501 and 502.

[0043] The micro-bubble generators 501, 502 have a diameter and a total length of, for example, several mm to several tens of mm, specifically a maximum diameter of about 15 mm and a length of about 10 mm. As shown in Fig. 7, the micro-bubble generators 501, 502 have a throttle section 51, a straight section 52, and a collision section 53. The throttle section 51 and the straight section 52 form a flow path that flows water in the direction indicated by the black arrow in Fig. 7, toward the longitudinal direction of the micro-bubble generators 501, 502.

[0044] The throttle section 51 is provided on the inflow side, i.e., upstream side, of the fine bubble generators 501, 502. The throttle section 51 is formed in a so-called truncated cone tapered tube shape in which the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path, i.e., the inner diameter, decreases continuously and gradually from the upstream end to the middle part in the longitudinal direction of the fine bubble generators 501, 502. The straight section 52 is provided on the downstream side of the throttle section 51. The straight section 52 is formed in a cylindrical shape, so-called straight tube shape, in which the inner diameter does not change, i.e., the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path, i.e., the area through which liquid can pass does not change.

[0045] The collision section 53 is provided at the downstream end of the straight section 52. The collision section 53 locally reduces the cross-sectional area of ​​the micro-bubble generators 501, 502 through which water can pass, thereby generating a large amount of micro-bubbles mainly of nano-order or smaller in the liquid passing through the micro-bubble generators 501, 502.

[0046] 8, the collision portions 53 are formed of, for example, four rod-shaped portions with pointed tips, and protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the straight portion 52 toward the center of the cross section of the straight portion 52. The four collision portions 53 are arranged spaced apart at equal intervals from each other in the circumferential direction of the cross section of the straight portion 52. In this case, the downstream surface of each collision portion 53 is formed into a flat surface. The area of ​​the gap formed by each collision portion 53 is the minimum cross-sectional area in the micro-bubble generators 501, 502 through which water can pass.

[0047] When water flows into the upstream side of the fine-bubble generators 501, 502, the flow path cross-sectional area is narrowed in the narrowing section 51 formed to reduce in a truncated cone tapered shape, and the flow velocity is increased based on the so-called Bernoulli's theorem of fluid dynamics, and cavitation occurs due to reduced pressure. Then, the high-speed flow collides with the collision section 53, and fine bubbles are generated by the shear force that acts. As a result, the fine-bubble generators 501, 502 can separate a large amount of air dissolved in the water passing through the fine-bubble generators 501, 502 as fine bubbles, and supply fine-bubble water containing a larger amount of fine bubbles than before passing through the fine-bubble generators 501, 502.

[0048] Generally, microbubbles or fine bubbles are classified according to the particle size of the bubbles as follows. For example, bubbles with a particle size of several μm to about 100 μm, that is, micro-order bubbles, are called microbubbles. In contrast, bubbles with a particle size of 50 nm to less than 1,000 nm, that is, nano-order bubbles, are called ultrafine bubbles. In this embodiment, nano-order fine bubbles, ultrafine bubbles, and nanobubbles are all synonymous and refer to bubbles with a particle size of nano-order.

[0049] Microbubbles have a negative electrical charge and are easily electrostatically attracted to positively charged dirt attached to the object to be cleaned, such as laundry. Dirt that is removed from the object to be cleaned by the electrical reaction with the microbubbles remains attached to the microbubble surface and rises to the water surface due to the buoyancy of the microbubbles, where it remains. Furthermore, microbubbles with negatively charged bubble surfaces repel each other and do not bond together, so they disperse in the liquid, preventing dirt removed from the object to be cleaned from adhering to the object again in the washing water.

[0050] On the other hand, ultrafine bubbles have a small particle size, so they can penetrate into complicated areas and can exert a cleaning effect by removing dirt from objects that cannot be removed by other fine bubbles such as microbubbles.In addition, ultrafine bubbles have the properties of having a nano-order particle size, small buoyancy, and being more hydrophobic than microbubbles and less soluble in water, so they remain in liquid for a long time.

[0051] The inventors of the present application conducted a verification test on the amount of fine bubbles generated by the pressurized dissolving device 40 and the fine bubble generators 501, 502. In this test, a comparison was made between two specifications, a configuration of the fine bubble generators 501, 502 alone and a configuration in which the pressurized dissolving device 40 is provided in addition to the fine bubble generators 501, 502, i.e., the specifications of this embodiment. Fig. 9 shows the relationship between the particle size of the generated fine bubbles and the amount of generated fine bubbles in each specification, with the vertical axis representing the concentration of fine bubbles and the horizontal axis representing the diameter of the fine bubbles.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 9, the generation of microbubbles was hardly observed in the specification without the pressurized dissolving device 40, that is, in the case of the fine bubble generators 501 and 502 alone. On the other hand, in the specification with the pressurized dissolving device 40, the generation of microbubbles was confirmed in the range of particle diameters from several μm to about 100 μm. This is presumably because, as the amount of air dissolved in water increases, the number of ultrafine bubbles generated when passing through the fine bubble generators 501 and 502 increases significantly, and some of the generated ultrafine bubbles combine with each other to develop into microbubbles. In this way, it can be seen that the fine bubble generators 501 and 502 dramatically improve the amount of microbubbles generated by increasing the amount of air dissolved in the water passing through the fine bubble generators 501 and 502 using the pressurized dissolving device 40.

[0053] In this embodiment, as described above, the microbubble generator 502 is disposed downstream of the pressurized dissolving device 40 in the microbubble water supply path R4. The microbubble water generated by passing through the pressurized dissolving device 40 and the microbubble generator 502 can be mixed with, for example, powder detergent to improve the cleaning effect. That is, the powder of the powder detergent is easily adsorbed to microbubbles, which have a larger particle size, i.e., a larger surface area, than nanobubbles among fine bubbles. The powder adsorbed to the surface of the microbubbles is broken down into small particles as the microbubbles burst in the process of rising to the water surface due to the buoyancy of the microbubbles, and is easily dissolved in water. For this reason, the dissolution of the powder detergent in the wash water can be promoted by contacting a large amount of microbubbles with the powder detergent. As a result, the cleaning effect of the wash water can be improved more efficiently than when microbubble water is not used.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 10, the washing machines 10 and 20 are equipped with a control device 60, a water level sensor 61, a flow meter 62, and a remaining amount detection unit 63. The control device 60 is mainly composed of a microcomputer having a CPU 601 and a storage area 602 such as a ROM, a RAM, and a rewritable flash memory, and controls the operation of the entire washing machines 10 and 20. The water level sensor 61 can detect the water level in the water tubs 12 and 22. The flow meter 62 is provided, for example, on the upstream side of the water supply valve mechanism 31, and measures the flow rate of water flowing through each water supply path R1, R2, R3, and R4 branched off on the downstream side of the water supply valve mechanism 31. Detection signals from the water level sensor 61 and the flow meter 62 are input to the control device 60. In this case, the control device 60 can calculate the amount of water supplied to the water tubs 12 and 22 by integrating the detection signal of the flow meter 62.

[0055] The remaining amount detection unit 63 can be configured to include, for example, a magnetic sensor or a permanent magnet, not shown. The remaining amount detection unit 63 has a function of detecting the remaining amount of laundry treatment agent in the tanks 361, 362. For example, when the remaining amount of laundry treatment agent in the tanks 361, 362 decreases to a level at which the laundry treatment agent needs to be replenished, the remaining amount detection unit 63 can detect the decrease in the remaining amount. In this case, a detection signal from the magnetic sensor is input to the control device 60. Then, the control device 60 notifies the user to replenish the laundry treatment agent in the tanks 361, 362 by, for example, displaying on the operation panels 15, 25.

[0056] 10, the motors 14, 24, the drain valves 161, 261, the water supply valve mechanism 31, and the input pump 363 are electrically connected to the control device 60. The control device 60 controls the driving of the motors 14, 24, the drain valves 161, 261, the water supply valve mechanism 31, and the input pump 363 based on signals input from the operation panels 15, 25, etc.

[0057] For example, the control device 60 can supply water that does not pass through the pressurized dissolving device 40 and the fine bubble generators 501 and 502 to the water tanks 12 and 22 from the finishing agent water supply path R2 and the automatic addition water supply path R3 by opening the water supply valve 311. In addition, the control device 60 can supply nanobubble water that has passed through the fine bubble generator 501 to the water tanks 12 and 22 from the nanobubble water supply path R1 by opening the water supply valve 312. In addition, the control device 60 can supply microbubble water that has passed through the microbubble water supply path R4 to the water tanks 12 and 22 by opening the water supply valve 313. In this case, the control device 60 can appropriately select and use each of the water supply paths R1, R2, R3, and R4 in combination by controlling the opening and closing of each of the water supply valves 311, 312, and 313.

[0058] Moreover, the control device 60 executes a control program stored in the storage area 602 in the CPU 601, thereby virtually realizing a weight detection processing unit 64, a water supply amount setting processing unit 65, a dosage amount setting processing unit 66, a dosage method setting processing unit 67, and a water supply processing unit 68 by software. Note that the control device 60 may realize these processing units 64 to 68 by hardware such as an integrated circuit, or may realize them by a combination of software and hardware.

[0059] The weight detection processing unit 64 can execute a weight detection process. The weight detection process is usually executed before the execution of a spin-drying process and includes a process for detecting the weight of the laundry in the spin tubs 13, 23. The weight detection processing unit 64 is executed, for example, at an early stage of a washing operation, specifically before the washing step, and detects the weight of the laundry in a dry state, that is, a state in which the laundry does not contain water from the water supply. The weight detection processing unit 64 rotates the spin tubs 13, 23 at a low speed, and at that time, a current sensor (not shown) measures the q-axis current of the motors 14, 24, thereby detecting the weight of the laundry.

[0060] The water supply amount setting processing unit 65 can execute a water supply amount setting process. The water supply amount setting process includes a process of setting a set water amount, which is a water supply amount for the water tubs 12, 22, based on the weight of the laundry detected by the weight detection processing unit 64 or a user setting input via the operation panels 15, 25, etc. The set water amount means the total amount of water supplied by the water supply device 30 to the water tubs 12, 22 when storing water in the water tubs 12, 22 in the washing process using detergent. The set water amount may be set, for example, based on the weight of the laundry detected by the weight detection process, or may be set arbitrarily by the user through an input operation on the operation panels 15, 25, for example.

[0061] Whether or not the set water volume has been reached is determined, for example, by the water supply processing unit 68. In this case, the water supply processing unit 68 may determine whether or not the water supply volume has reached the set water volume based on, for example, the detection result of the flow meter 62, or may determine this based on the detection result of the water level sensor 61, i.e., the water level in the water tanks 12, 22. When the amount of water supplied to the water tanks 12, 22 is viewed as the water level in the water tanks 12, 22, the set water volume can also be referred to as the set water level.

[0062] The input amount setting processing section 66 can execute an input amount setting process. The input amount setting process includes a process of setting an input amount of detergent for a set water amount based on the weight of the laundry or a user setting. The input amount setting processing section 66 can determine the input amount of detergent according to the weight of the laundry, with the input amount of detergent set when the laundry weight is standard, for example, 5 kg to 6 kg, being "standard." The input amount setting processing section 66 can set the input amount of detergent to "small" when the laundry weight is small, for example, less than 5 kg, and set the input amount of detergent to "large" when the laundry weight is large, for example, more than 6 kg.

[0063] The supplying method setting processing unit 67 can execute a supplying method setting process. The supplying method setting process includes a process of setting, for example, manual supply, which is a mode in which detergent is manually supplied to the bottom surface 321 of the water supply case 32, and automatic supply, which is a mode in which detergent is automatically supplied by the automatic supply device 36. The supplying method setting processing unit 67 can execute the supplying method setting process at an early stage of the washing process, specifically, before water is supplied into the water tubs 12, 22.

[0064] The loading method setting process can be configured to automatically set manual loading or automatic loading based on information detected by the remaining amount detection unit 63. Specifically, the loading method setting processing unit 67 can set manual loading when the remaining amount detection unit 63 detects a lack of detergent in the detergent tank 361 before water supply to the water tubs 12, 22 begins. On the other hand, the loading method setting processing unit 67 can set automatic loading when the remaining amount detection unit 63 does not detect a lack of detergent in the detergent tank 361. The loading method setting process can be configured to be performed based on a user's operation on the operation panels 15, 25. In this case, the user can appropriately select either the manual loading or automatic loading method by operating the operation panels 15, 25 before starting the washing operation.

[0065] The water supply processing unit 68 can execute a water supply process. The water supply process includes a process of controlling the water supply valve mechanism 31 to control the water supply to the water tanks 12 and 22. That is, the water supply process includes a process of controlling the opening and closing of the normal water supply valve 311 to control the water supply from the finishing agent water supply path R2 and the automatic injection water supply path R3 to the water tanks 12 and 22. The water supply process also includes a process of controlling the opening and closing of the nanobubble water supply valve 312 to control the supply of microbubble water from the nanobubble water supply path R1 to the water tanks 12 and 22. Furthermore, the water supply process includes a process of controlling the opening and closing of the microbubble water supply valve 313 to control the supply of microbubble water from the microbubble water supply path R4 to the water tanks 12 and 22.

[0066] The water supply process further includes a process for changing the ratio of the amount of microbubble water to the set amount of water when manual supply is set and when automatic supply is set in the supply method setting process. The water supply process further includes a process for increasing the ratio of the amount of microbubble water to the set amount of water when manual supply is set in the supply method setting process compared to when automatic supply is set. With regard to the detergent supply method, automatic supply is considered to be selected more frequently than manual supply in consideration of user convenience. Therefore, it is preferable to set the amount of microbubble water to be supplied in the washing process as the standard amount of microbubble water to be supplied in automatic supply.

[0067] The control device 60 can execute a washing operation in response to a user's operation on the operation panels 15, 25 or in accordance with a preset reservation. As shown in Fig. 11, when a washing operation is started, the control device 60 detects the weight of the laundry using the weight detection processing unit 64 (step S11), and then performs a washing process (step S12), a rinsing process (step S13), and a spin-drying process (step S14) in that order, and then ends the washing operation (END).

[0068] The control contents in the washing process will be described below with reference to Fig. 12. In the following description, the processes performed by the water supply amount setting processing unit 65, the input amount setting processing unit 66, the input method setting processing unit 67, and the water supply processing unit 68 will all be described as being mainly performed by the control device 60.

[0069] When the control device 60 executes the washing process of step S12 in FIG. 11, first, in step S21 in FIG. 12, the control device 60 executes a water supply amount setting process based on the weight of the laundry detected by the weight detection processing unit 64 to determine a set water amount. Thereafter, the control device 60 executes an input amount setting process in step S22 to set the input amount of detergent based on the weight of the laundry detected in the weight detection process or a user setting. Next, the control device 60 executes an input method setting process in step S23, and then determines whether the input method of the detergent is manual input. If the input method of the detergent is not manual input (NO in step S23), the control device 60 shifts the process to step S24. Then, in step S24, the control device 60 drives the input pump 363 to supply the detergent stored in the detergent tank 361 to the mixing unit 37.

[0070] On the other hand, when the detergent supply method is manual supply (YES in step S23), the control device 60 shifts the process to step S25, executes a water supply process, and increases the ratio of the amount of microbubble water to the set amount of water supply compared to when automatic supply is set. Thereafter, the control device 60 executes a water supply process in step S26, and supplies water to the water tubs 12 and 22 until the set amount of water is reached. Then, the control device 60 executes a washing operation for a predetermined time, for example, 3 minutes in step S27, and then drains the dirty wash water in the water tub 12 (step S28). Thereafter, the control device 60 executes a spin-dry operation for a predetermined time, for example, 1 minute in step S29, returns the process of the flow of FIG. 11 (return in FIG. 12), and shifts the process to the rinsing process of step S13 shown in FIG. 11.

[0071] According to the embodiment described above, the washing machine 10, 20 includes the water tub 12, 22, the input receiver 321, the nanobubble water supply path R1, and the microbubble water supply path R4. The input receiver 321 receives powder detergent input by a user. The nanobubble water supply path R1 supplies nanobubble water obtained by mixing nanobubbles in water supplied from an external water source to the water tub 12, 22. The microbubble water supply path R4 supplies microbubble water obtained by mixing microbubbles in water supplied from an external water source to the water tub 12, 22. Of the nanobubble water supply path R1 and the microbubble water supply path R4, at least the microbubble water supply path R4 is configured as a path that passes through the input receiver 321 to reach the water tub 12, 22.

[0072] Here, the powder of the powder detergent is more likely to be adsorbed to microbubbles of the micron order, which have a larger particle size, i.e., a larger surface area, than nanobubbles of the nanon order among fine bubbles. The powder adsorbed to the surface of the microbubbles is broken down into smaller pieces as the microbubbles burst in the process of floating up to the water surface due to the buoyancy of the microbubbles, making it easier to dissolve in water. For this reason, by contacting a large amount of microbubbles with the powder detergent, the dissolution of the powder detergent in the wash water can be promoted. This increases the degree of dissolution of the powder detergent in the wash water, and improves the cleaning effect of the powder detergent.

[0073] The washing machines 10 and 20 further include a microbubble water supply valve 313, an automatic dispenser 36, a water supply amount setting processor 65, a dispense method setting processor 67, and a water supply processor 68. The microbubble water supply valve 313 opens and closes the microbubble water supply path R4. The automatic dispenser 36 can store an amount of liquid detergent used in multiple washing operations and automatically dispenses the liquid detergent into the water tubs 12 and 22. The water supply amount setting processor 65 can execute a water supply amount setting process for setting a set water amount, which is a water supply amount for the water tubs 12 and 22, based on the weight of the laundry or a user setting. The dispense method setting processor 67 can execute a dispense method setting process for setting a manual dispense, which is a mode in which the detergent is dispensed manually into the dispense receiver 321, and an automatic dispense, which is a mode in which the detergent is automatically dispensed by the automatic dispenser 36. The water supply processing unit 68 controls the opening and closing of the microbubble water supply valve 313 to execute a water supply process that controls the supply of microbubble water to the water tanks 12, 22. The water supply process includes a process of changing the ratio of the amount of microbubble water to the set water amount when manual supply is set and when automatic supply is set in the supply method setting process.

[0074] Generally, the liquid detergent is dispensed from the automatic dispenser 36 stably at a preset amount, whereas the powder detergent is dispensed from the dispense receiver 321 manually by the user, and therefore the amount dispensed is less stable than that of the liquid detergent dispensed from the automatic dispenser 36. Therefore, by setting different ratios of the amount of water supplied from the microbubble water supply path R4 to the set amount of water depending on whether the manual dispense of the powder detergent from the dispense receiver 321 or the automatic dispense of the liquid detergent from the automatic dispenser 36 is selected, the amount of microbubble water supplied when the powder detergent is manually dispensed can be changed, for example. This allows the amount of microbubble water supplied to be appropriately changed according to, for example, the tendency of the amount of detergent dispensed when the powder detergent is manually dispensed by the user, and therefore the cleaning effect can be efficiently improved.

[0075] Furthermore, the water supply process includes a process of increasing the ratio of the amount of microbubble water supplied to the set amount of water when manual supply is set in the supply method setting process, compared to when automatic supply is set. Here, when manual supply is selected, users tend to supply more detergent than the amount specified for the detergent used. Therefore, when manual supply is selected, the ratio of the amount of microbubble water supplied to the set amount of water is increased, thereby improving the degree of dissolution of the detergent in the wash water. This improves the washing efficiency.

[0076] In addition, liquid detergent is already dissolved in water. Therefore, when liquid detergent is used, the effect of supplying microbubbles to promote dissolution of detergent in wash water is weaker than when powder detergent is used. Therefore, when automatic liquid detergent supply is selected and the reduction in washing time is prioritized over the cleaning effect, the time required for water supply can be reduced by setting the ratio of the amount of microbubble water to the set amount of water to a smaller value than when manual supply is set.

[0077] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration of this embodiment can be the same as that of the first embodiment, except for the control content in the washing process shown in Fig. 12. That is, in this embodiment, the control content in the washing process is different from that of the first embodiment. The control content in the washing process shown in Fig. 13 is obtained by adding the process of step A25 instead of the process of step S25 shown in Fig. 12. In this case, the water supply process includes a process of reducing the ratio of the amount of microbubble water to the set amount of water when manual supply is set in the supply method setting process, compared to when automatic supply is set.

[0078] Specifically, when the detergent supply method is manual supply in step S23 (YES in step S23), the control device 60 shifts the process to step A25, executes the water supply process, and reduces the ratio of the amount of microbubble water supplied to the set amount of water compared to when automatic supply is set. After that, the control device 60 proceeds to the process from step S26 onwards.

[0079] According to this, for example, a user who uses a detergent with high foaming properties may manually add less detergent than the amount specified for the detergent. On the other hand, since the microbubble water supply path R4 has the pressurized dissolving device 40 installed in the middle of the path, the flow rate per unit time is structurally smaller than that of a water supply path that does not have the pressurized dissolving device 40. Therefore, when the amount of powder detergent added is small, the ratio of the amount of water supplied from the microbubble water supply path R4 to the set amount of water can be reduced accordingly, thereby obtaining the effect of increasing the degree of dissolution of the powder detergent in the wash water by the microbubble water while suppressing the lengthening of the time required for water supply. As a result, the cleaning effect can be improved while preventing the lengthening of the time required for the entire wash operation.

[0080] Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the amount of water to be supplied of microbubbles relative to the set amount of water is set differently depending on the method of adding detergent, i.e., whether the detergent is added manually or automatically. However, this embodiment differs from the above-mentioned embodiments in that the ratio of the amount of water to be supplied of microbubbles relative to the set amount of water is set differently depending on the amount of detergent added.

[0081] The washing machines 10 and 20 are configured to be capable of executing a plurality of operation courses in the washing operation. The plurality of operation courses differ, for example, in the operation time and the amount of detergent added. The speed course, the standard course, and the soaking course are examples of the operation courses. The user can select which operation course to execute by inputting an operation on the operation panel 15 or 25 before starting the washing operation. In other words, the amount of detergent added is indirectly set by the user selecting an operation course.

[0082] In FIG. 14, the amount of detergent in the standard course is set to "standard" and the ratio of the amount of microbubble water supplied to the set amount of water is set to "standard", and the relationship between the amount of detergent in the speed course and the ratio of the amount of microbubble water supplied to the set amount of water is shown. In this case, the ratio of the amount of microbubble water supplied to the set amount of water can be set to different settings depending on the amount of detergent set for each operating course. The ratio of the amount of microbubble water supplied to the set amount of water can be set to a higher value as the amount of detergent added increases. On the other hand, the ratio of the amount of microbubble water supplied to the set amount of water can be set to a lower value as the amount of detergent added decreases.

[0083] In this case, the water supply process executed by the water supply processing unit 68 includes a process of increasing the ratio of the amount of microbubble water to the set amount of water when the amount of detergent added set in the input amount setting process is large. That is, the water supply process includes a process of increasing the ratio of the amount of microbubble water to the set amount of water when the amount of powder detergent added set in the input amount setting process is large. On the other hand, the water supply process executed by the water supply processing unit 68 includes a process of decreasing the ratio of the amount of microbubble water to the set amount of water when the amount of detergent added set in the input amount setting process is small. That is, the water supply process includes a process of decreasing the ratio of the amount of microbubble water to the set amount of water when the amount of powder detergent added set in the input amount setting process is small.

[0084] In addition, the detergent dosage is not limited to a configuration in which the detergent dosage is indirectly set by selecting an operation course, but may be a configuration in which the detergent dosage relative to the set water amount is directly set by an input operation on the operation panel 15, 25 as shown in FIG. 15. The small setting, the standard setting, and the large setting are examples of cases in which the detergent dosage is set by the user. In this case, in the example of FIG. 15, the detergent dosage in the standard setting set by the user is set to "standard", and the ratio of the amount of microbubble water supplied to the set water amount is set to "standard", and the relationship between the detergent amount and the ratio of the amount of microbubble water supplied to the set water amount in the small setting and the large setting is shown. This also makes it possible to configure the ratio of the amount of microbubble water supplied to the set water amount to be different depending on the amount of detergent set by the user. In other words, the ratio of the amount of microbubble water supplied to the set water amount can be configured to be higher as the detergent dosage is larger. On the other hand, the ratio of the amount of microbubble water supplied to the set water amount can be configured to be lower as the detergent dosage is smaller.

[0085] According to the third embodiment, the ratio of the amount of microbubble water to the set amount of water can be changed according to the amount of powder detergent added, which allows an appropriate amount of microbubbles to be supplied relative to the amount of powder detergent added, thereby improving the dissolution of the powder detergent in the wash water appropriately.

[0086] The above-described embodiments can be combined with each other, or only the characteristic parts of two or more embodiments can be extracted and combined. The above-described embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 10, 20... washing machine, 313... microbubble water supply valve, 321, 34... input receiver, 36... automatic input device, 65... water supply amount setting processing unit, 66... ​​input amount setting processing unit, 67... input method setting processing unit, 68... water supply processing unit, R1... nanobubble water supply path, R4... microbubble water supply path

Claims

1. Aquarium and a receiving portion for receiving powder detergent input by a user; an automatic detergent dispenser capable of storing an amount of liquid detergent used for multiple washing operations and automatically dispenses the liquid detergent into the water tub; A mixing section into which the liquid detergent stored in the automatic dispenser is dispensed; A nanobubble water supply path that supplies nanobubble water, which is water supplied from an external water source and contains nanobubbles, to the water tank; A microbubble water supply path that supplies microbubble water, which is water supplied from the external water source and contains microbubbles, to the water tank; Of the nanobubble water supply path and the microbubble water supply path, at least the microbubble water supply path is configured as a path that passes through the input receiving part and reaches the water tank without passing through the mixing part. washing machine.

2. a microbubble water supply valve that opens and closes the microbubble water supply path; a water supply amount setting processing unit capable of executing a water supply amount setting process for setting a set water amount, which is a water supply amount for the water tub, based on a laundry weight or a user setting; a dosage amount setting processing unit capable of executing a dosage amount setting process for setting a dosage amount of the powder detergent relative to the set water amount based on a laundry weight or a user setting; a water supply processing unit capable of executing a water supply process for controlling the supply of the microbubble water to the water tank by controlling the opening and closing of the microbubble water supply valve, the water supply process includes a process of increasing a ratio of the amount of the microbubble water to the set amount of water when the amount of the powder detergent to be dispensed set in the dosage amount setting process is large. The washing machine according to claim 1.

3. a microbubble water supply valve that opens and closes the microbubble water supply path; a water supply amount setting processing unit capable of executing a water supply amount setting process for setting a set water amount, which is a water supply amount for the water tub, based on a laundry weight or a user setting; a detergent supply method setting processing unit capable of executing a detergent supply method setting process capable of setting a detergent supply method between a manual supply method in which the detergent is manually supplied to the supply receiving unit and an automatic supply method in which the detergent is automatically supplied by the automatic supply device; a water supply processing unit capable of executing a water supply process for controlling the supply of the microbubble water to the water tank by controlling the opening and closing of the microbubble water supply valve, The water supply process includes a process of changing a ratio of the amount of microbubble water to the set water amount when the manual supply is set and when the automatic supply is set in the supply method setting process. The washing machine according to claim 1.

4. The water supply process includes a process of increasing a ratio of the amount of the microbubble water to the set water amount when the manual supply is set in the supply method setting process compared to when the automatic supply is set. The washing machine according to claim 3.

5. The water supply process includes a process of reducing a ratio of the amount of the microbubble water to the set water amount when the manual supply is set in the supply method setting process compared to when the automatic supply is set. The washing machine according to claim 3.

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